Hiking in the Dolomites
7 hand-picked long-distance trails
Dolomites hiking brings together pale limestone towers, high alpine terrain and rifugio-linked routes in northern Italy. This collection focuses on the classics: the Alta Via hut-to-hut treks, iconic day circuits around Tre Cime and Sassolungo, high viewpoints such as Seceda, and the Lago di Braies approach into the mountains. It is for walkers who want dramatic rock scenery, real alpine paths and clear route choices.
Trails in this collection
Alta Via 1
View trail →
Italy · 120 km · 10 days · Moderate The classic Dolomites hut-to-hut choice, Alta Via 1 covers 120 km over 10 days from Lago di Braies towards Belluno. Its moderate grade makes it the signature long route here.
Sassolungo Circuit
View trail → Italy · 17 km · 1 days · Moderate The Sassolungo Circuit adds a longer one-day loop to the collection, covering 17 km around the Sassolungo/Langkofel group. It is moderate and mountain-focused, with forest also part of the terrain.
Lago di Braies to Prato Piazza
View trail → Italy · 13 km · 1 days · Moderate Starting at Lago di Braies, this 13 km moderate point-to-point route links a famous Dolomites lake with the high plateau of Prato Piazza. It fits walkers wanting a full alpine day.
Alta Via 2
View trail → Italy · 160 km · 13 days · Expert Alta Via 2 is the demanding counterpart to Alta Via 1: 160 km, 13 days and expert-rated. Its mountainous, alpine and rocky terrain suits experienced hikers seeking a tougher Dolomites traverse.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop
View trail → Italy · 10 km · 1 days · Moderate This 10 km moderate loop earns its place by circling the Drei Zinnen, the three famous dolomite towers in the Sexten Dolomites. It is the collection’s most direct iconic day hike.
Seceda to Rifugio Firenze
View trail → Italy · 6 km · 1 days · Moderate At 6 km, this high-alpine point-to-point walk is a concise way to reach the Seceda–Odle/Geisler scenery. The finish at Rifugio Firenze gives it a clear rifugio-focused Dolomites feel.
Via Ferrata delle Bocchette
View trail → Italy · 14 km · 2 days · Expert This expert two-day, 14 km hut-to-hut traverse represents the via ferrata side of the Dolomites. Set in the Brenta Dolomites, it is for experienced alpine hikers rather than casual walkers.
Dolomites Hiking: How to Choose the Right Trail
Match the route to your time
Dolomites hiking is not one format. If you want the full hut-to-hut experience, the Alta Via routes are the obvious starting point: Alta Via 1 is the moderate 10-day classic, while Alta Via 2 is longer, tougher and rated expert. Both are point-to-point treks, so they suit walkers ready to commit to several days in the mountains rather than a single scenic outing.
For a one-day plan, choose by how much ground you want to cover and whether you prefer a loop or a point-to-point walk. Tre Cime di Lavaredo is a moderate circular route around the famous three towers, while the Sassolungo Circuit is a longer 17 km loop around a major mountain group. Seceda to Rifugio Firenze is shorter at 6 km but still high-alpine, and Lago di Braies to Prato Piazza gives a moderate point-to-point day from lake to plateau.
Difficulty, terrain and logistics
The difficulty labels matter here. “Moderate” still includes mountain or alpine terrain on these routes, so it is best suited to walkers comfortable with sustained uphill and downhill travel rather than casual flat paths. Distance also changes the feel: a 6 km high-alpine walk and a 17 km mountain loop ask for different pacing, even when both are moderate.
Expert routes in this collection are a different category. Alta Via 2 is described as tougher and more technical than Alta Via 1, with mountainous, alpine and rocky terrain across 160 km. Via Ferrata delle Bocchette is also expert and specifically a hut-to-hut via ferrata traverse, so it belongs to experienced alpine hikers rather than walkers simply looking for a scenic path.
Trail type should guide your planning. Loops return you to the start, which keeps the day simple. Point-to-point routes need a clear start and finish plan, especially on the longer hut-to-hut treks. Use this collection to decide first between day hike, multi-day trek and via ferrata, then narrow the choice by distance, difficulty and terrain.